Blueberry plant named ‘Blue Silk’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct blueberry variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from the controlled cross of the varieties ‘Elliott’ (not patented) and ‘Puru’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,701). The new variety is distinguished from others by its late seasonality, fruit size, and plant habit. Fruit of ‘Blue Silk’ is medium-large in size with a medium-strong bloom.

Genus and species of plant claimed: Vaccinium corymbosum.

Variety denomination: ‘Blue Silk’.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Seeds obtained from the deliberate crossing of the varieties ‘Elliott’ (not patented), female parent, and ‘Puru’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,701), male parent, which occurred at Ruakura, Hamilton, New Zealand were shipped to Gilten, Germany. Seedlings obtained from this cross were planted out in Gilten, Germany in 2002. Three seedlings were selected from this family in 2004, one of which was given the breeder code ‘ZDM035’. In the Northern Hemisphere summer of 2008 ‘ZDM035’ was identified as having potential as a new variety and in 2009 it was asexually propagated. The resulting plants were planted out at Gilten and were subsequently found to be true to type demonstrating that the characteristics of the new variety are stable and transmitted without change through succeeding generations. Asexual propagation has since been carried out through both soft and hard wood cuttings in Gilten, Germany. ‘ZDM035’ was later designated ‘Blue Silk’. ‘Blue Silk’ is distinguished from its parents, ‘Elliot’ and ‘Puru’, as fruit bloom is heavier than both parents. ‘Blue Silk’ fruit is harvested mid-late season while ‘Puru’ is early season and Elliot late season.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Blue Silk’ is characterised by its mid-late seasonality, fruit size, bloom, and upright habit. ‘Blue Silk’ is distinguished from a number of other varieties by the following characteristics:

‘Blue Silk’ is harvested significantly later than ‘Bluecrop’ (not patented) grown in Gilten, Germany. Fruit of ‘Blue Silk’ have been observed to be starting to turn blue when approximately 50% of the ‘Bluecrop’ crop has been harvested.

‘Blue Silk’ produces medium to large fruit, averaging 2.2 g, whereas ‘Nui’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,699) produces large fruit, averaging 3 g, which reach harvest maturity earlier, under the same conditions in Germany.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a mature, six year old ‘Blue Silk’ plant.

FIG. 2 shows a juvenile, two year old plant.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show show fruit of ‘Blue Silk’ on the plant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is a description of the new variety with color terminology in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Charts (R.H.S.C.C.) 2001 edition.

The specimens described were grown in Gilten, Germany. The observations were made in the 2010-2014 seasons on 4-8 year old bushes.

-   Plant and foliage:     -   -   Plant.—Medium size at maturity, with an average plant height             of 1.2 m and average canopy diameter of 1.1 m, managed under             standard orchard practice. Growth habit is upright and fruit             are borne only on one-year-old shoots. The surface texture             of 6 month old dormant stems is smooth and the colour near             yellow green 144D.         -   Leaves.—Mature fully expanded leaves are an average of             approximately 78.0 mm long and 37.2 mm wide. The pinnate             leaves are oval to oblong in shape with smooth margins. The             leaves are coloured near yellow green 146A with a moderate             and uniform glossiness on the upper surface. On the lower             surface the leaves are near coloured green 138C and venation             coloured near greyed purple 185B. The petioles are an             average of approximately 2.3 mm long and coloured near             yellow green 145B. -   Infloresence:     -   -   Flower.—The flower shape is urceolate and has an average             length of 11.7 mm. The average style length is 9.5 mm. The             tip of the style is lower than the corolla tip. The ovary is             inferior. The petals are fused into the corolla tube and             have 5 lobes. The corolla surface texture is smooth and             coloured near white 155D. The average corolla tube diameter             is 6.1 mm. The average number of flowers per cluster is 13.             The calyx colour is near yellow green 144B with anthocyanin             blush at tips. -   Fruit:     -   -   Immature fruit.—Coloured near yellow green 145C.         -   Mature fruit.—Medium to large in size, firm, with an average             fresh weight of 2.5 g and diameter of 18.0 mm. The fruit             have a medium to strong bloom. The fruit skin colour with             bloom is near violet blue 97B and after the bloom is removed             is near blue 103A. The fruit are generally oblate in shape             with a small moist scar, on average 1.3 mm long, and have an             average brix of 14.2% at maturity. The average diameter of             the calyx aperture is 5.5 mm and the depth of the calyx             basin 2.1 mm. The calyx aperture on the ripe berry is star             shaped. The flesh colour is near greyed green 193D. The             average number of berries per cluster is 13.         -   Seeds.—There is an average of between 3 and 6 seeds per             fruit with an average length of 1.8 mm, coloured near             greyed-orange N170A. -   Events: The timing of the beginning of flowering is medium compared     to standard V. corymbosum varieties, while the timing of the     beginning of fruit ripening is mid-late—similar to that of     ‘Elizabeth’ (not patented). -   Pest and disease: ‘Blue Silk’ does not appear particularly resistant     or susceptible to any particular pests or diseases known to     afflict V. corymbosum. -   Hardiness: The plant cold hardiness according to the American zone     classification has not been determined. ‘Blue Silk’ has a chilling     requirement of between 800-1000 hours. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct blueberry plant substantially as illustrated and described herein. 